Ten-man Ross County held to draw by Motherwell
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ROSS County were held to a 1-1 draw against Motherwell at the Global Energy Stadium this afternoon (Saturday) - their first home Ladbrokes Premiership draw for two-and-a-half years.
A Liam Boyce header gave the Staggies the lead in the second half, but a Louis Moult spot-kick, earned by Scott McDonald, secured Well a share of the spoils.
A red card for a second bookable offence for defender Jay McEveley saw County play almost the last 20 minutes with 10 men.
The hosts kicked off knowing they had the chance to move into the top three after leaders Celtic's 5-1 derby demolition of Rangers at lunchtime
Former Dundee United attacking midfielder Ryan Dow was snapped up yesterday, but he didn't make the squad.
The only change for County from the side which lost 1-0 at Hamilton a fortnight ago was that Alex Schalk replaced Craig Curran in attack.
There were two changes for the Steel Men, with Steven Hammell and new signing, striker Ryan Bowman in from the team which drew 0-0 with Dundee. Lionel Ainsworth dropped to the bench and Marvin Johnson since having joined Oxford United.
The Well started on the front foot, using Chris Cadden to good effect on the right flank, but the home side were holding firm early on.
After a scrappy spell, Motherwell came close to nudging in front when Scott McDonald's cross was met by Cadden and his close-range effort flashed just wide of the left post.
Two strong challeneges earned one booking apiece, with Keith Lasley for wiping out Schalk and Jay McEveley for taking down Craig Clay so strongly.
County were soon threatening and Christopher Routis fired a suoerb volley just behind the left post from the angle of the post after Martin Woods' dangerous set-piece had to be turned behind for a corner on 28 minutes.
Referee Alan Muir then dished out his third yellow of the game when Richard Tait took down Michael Gardyne.
The Staggies were asking questions of Motherwell, who were keeping them at bay at this point.
That seemed to have changed when Gardyne swerved a great effort off the bar and Schalk headed a follow-up Franks cross over the top.
County burst out of the traps at the start of the second half and dangerous crosses pegged the Well back and Boyce, from a Franks delivery, headed over the crossbar.
At the other end, Bowman was denied by keeper Scott Fox after play surged from end to end.
The Dingwall team looked the most likely to score and Jonathan Franks flashed a low shot past the right post.
Franks again was the supplier on 57 minutes when he swept a ball in from the right and Boyce headed just wide of the left post.
Quinn, though, then came to the rescue for the Staggies when he got in first to block an effort from Bowman, who met a cross from Cadden.
Just after the hour mark, the long awaited goal came for County when Schalk fed the ball on to Boyce and the Northern Ireland international lashed the ball past Craig Samson into the net.
It was just what County deserved and Woods came close to making it two just moments later but his long-ranger flew over the crossbar.
Schalk then had the ball into the net from another swift attack, but the flag was raised for offside and Motherwell were relieved.
And they were handed the chance to level on 66 minutes when Fox brought down McDonald in the box and a penalty was awarded and sub Louis Moult made no mistake from the spot to make it 1-1.
It was a cruel blow and the day got worse for the Staggies on 71 minutes when a second booking for McEveley for a foul saw him sent off by referee Muir.
Despite this, Boyce should have found the net once more and he drilled another close range shot wide of the far post from a Gardyne cut-back.
Motherwell sub Lionel Ainsworth almost sealed a late win for the visitors but his tame header from six yards was blocked by Fox and it ended 1-1.
Ross County: Fox, Boyce, Davies, Franks (Curran 72), Woods, Gardyne (Chow 80), McEveley, Routis, Schalk (van der Weg 71), Cikos, Quinn. Subs not used: McCarey (GK), Morrison, Fraser, McShane.
Motherwell: Samson, Tait, Hammell, Heneghan, McManus, Bowman (Moult 60), Cadden, Lasley (Ainsworth 50), Chalmers (McFadden 68), Clay, McDonald. Subs not used: Brill (GK), Thomas, Ferguson, Fry.
Referee: Alan Muir.
Attendance: 3019.
